Oct. 5, 2006

By Marc Shaner, ONU Sports Information

In 1980, Brenda Williams went 18-20 in her first season as the head coach for the University of Alabama-Birmingham volleyball team.

Little did Williams know that 26 years later she would win her 600th career match guiding the Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) volleyball team to a 3-0 win over Robert Morris College (Ill.) on Tuesday. The Tigers defeated Robert Morris 30-14, 30-15 and 30-12, upping their record to 13-10 overall and 5-0 in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Williams, who is in her 11th year at Olivet Nazarene, has gone 310-183 at the helm. She has helped turn a struggling program into a national power. Under Williams' direction the Tigers have advanced to four NAIA National Tournaments, won two NAIA Region VII Championships and five CCAC Regular Season Championships. Her 2001 squad recorded a university-record 44 wins, finishing with a 44-10 mark and advancing to the NAIA National Tournament. She guided the team to two NCCAA National Championships.

She has also put together a 69-12 CCAC mark during her tenure, including winning 34 consecutive matches from 2000 to 2004.

Before joining Olivet Nazarene in 1996, Williams became one of the youngest NCAA Division I coaches at the age of 24 when she took over Alabama-Birmingham. Williams led the Blazers to a 290-227 overall record and three postseason appearances in her 12 seasons as the Blazers' head coach.

"All these wins were gifts from some great young female volleyball players that believed enough in our program to work hard year after year to make us successful," commented Williams. "This year's team is a special group and one that I am so glad to get to share it with. I want to thank my teams, assistant coaches, administrators, family, friends and most of all my Lord for giving me this opportunity to do what I love."

In giving Williams her 600th win, the Tigers were led offensively by sophomore Michelle McFadden, who registered 11 kills. Senior Megan Gullickson dished out a game-high 38 assists and posted 10 digs to lead the defense, while junior Katarina Stanojevic was credited with four blocks.